Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water,
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
Yesterday’s verse talked about what the blessed person does not do. Today’s verse describes what he is like and what he does do. The remarkable thing about the imagery of today’s verse is its emphasis on permanence and stability. Chesterton once remarked that it’s easy enough to talk about “the religion of the next generation”. What is hard is imagining the religious craze of “the next generation” is going on to be the religion of the generation after that. Secular faiths (in Marx, science, sex, drugs, rock n’ roll, Microsoft, crystals, Shirley MacLaine, and the Force) have succeeded one another with the restless fertility of bewilderment, like pet rocks succeeded hula hoops. But the person planted in God lives a measured and seasonal life, fruitful when he or she needs to be, leafy at the right time, properly without leaves at others, bearing suffering, never withering, ultimately prospering. But, of course, “prosperity” means not “being mentioned on ‘Entertainment Tonight'” but standing like an oak in the Permanent Things of God. Today, begin to put down roots in God. It’s the work of eternity, but you can start right now with a simple prayer in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
